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Lifestyle and home remedies
By Mayo Clinic staffThese suggestions may help reduce your risk of developing osteoporosis or experiencing broken bones:
- Don't smoke. Smoking increases bone loss, perhaps by decreasing the amount of estrogen a woman's body makes and by reducing the absorption of calcium in your intestine.
- Avoid excessive alcohol. Consuming more than one alcoholic drink a day may decrease bone formation and reduce your body's ability to absorb calcium. Being under the influence also can increase your risk of falling.
- Prevent falls. Wear low-heeled shoes with nonslip soles and check your house for electrical cords, area rugs and slippery surfaces that might cause you to trip or fall. Keep rooms brightly lit, install grab bars just inside and outside your shower door, and make sure you can get in and out of your bed easily.
References
- Osteoporosis: Handout on health. NIH Osteoporosis and Related Bone Diseases National Resource Center. http://www.niams.nih.gov/Health_Info/Bone/Osteoporosis/osteoporosis_hoh.asp. Accessed Oct. 25, 2011.
- Rosen C. Osteoporosis. In: Goldman L, et al. Cecil Medicine. 24th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2011. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/191371208-2/0/1492/0.html#. Accessed Oct. 25, 2011.
- De Paula FJ, et al. Osteoporosis. In: Bope ET, et al. Conn's Current Therapy. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2011. http://www.mdconsult.com/books/about.do?eid=4-u1.0-B978-1-4377-0986-5..C2009-0-38984-9--TOP&isbn=978-1-4377-0986-5&about=true&uniqId=236797353-5. Accessed Oct. 25, 2011.
- Weppner DM, et al. Osteoporosis. In: Ferri FF. Ferri's Clinical Advisor 2011: Instant Diagnosis and Treatment. Philadelphia, Pa.: Mosby Elsevier; 2011. http://www.mdconsult.com/books/about.do?eid=4-u1.0-B978-0-323-05610-6..C2009-0-38600-6--TOP&isbn=978-0-323-05610-6&about=true&uniqId=230100505-53. Accessed Oct. 25, 2011.
- Koch TR, et al. Postoperative metabolic and nutritional complications of bariatric surgery. Gastroenterology Clinics of North America. 2010;39:109.
- Rosen HN. Bisphosphonates in the management of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Oct. 26, 2011.
- Finkelstein JS. Treatment of osteoporosis in men. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Oct. 26, 2011.
- Rosen CJ. Parathyroid hormone therapy for osteoporosis. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Oct. 26, 2011.
- Rosen HN. Denosumab for osteoporosis. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Oct. 26, 2011.
- Kennel KA (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Oct. 27, 2011.
- National Osteoporosis Foundation: Community groups. http://www.nof.org/community/communitygroups. Accessed Oct. 26, 2011.
- Dietary reference intakes for calcium and vitamin D. Institute of Medicine. http://www.iom.edu/Reports/2010/Dietary-Reference-Intakes-for-Calcium-and-Vitamin-D/Report-Brief.aspx. Accessed Oct. 27, 2011.
- AskMayoExpert. How much vitamin D is adequate to prevent vitamin D deficiency? Rochester, Minn.: Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research; 2011.
- Rohren CH (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Nov. 2, 2011.
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